It’s For More Than Just Polished Pieces

But this way of using video fails to take advantage of our natural learning styles.

One of the fastest ways to improve is to have frequent feedback. With feedback, we can notice what works and improve on it. Likewise, we can notice what doesn’t and fix it. This means we get better in less time, and to a higher degree. (Flight simulators were a game-changer for fighter pilots. They allowed for mistakes and experimentation, without the high costs of error.)

One of the fastest ways to improve is to have frequent feedback.

We can review our technique and movements on scales or arpeggios. We can check our slur exercises for inefficiencies. We can spot check small sections of a piece we’re learning and plot the way forward.

We can do a quick video review of anything we’re working on. Then we can take the perspective of the teacher and make recommendations for next steps.

Check Your Ego at the Door

One of the most common objections to video is, “But I hate seeing myself on camera…”

We have to get over that. It’s not about looking good. This video won’t be live on the internet (unless we decide to post it). No one but us will ever see it.

We can think of it more like looking in the mirror while we comb our hair. We could comb it without a mirror, but the mirror lets us do a better job and be sure it’s what we want.

In time, videoing ourselves in practice could be as common as glancing in a mirror.

Bonus! Performance Practice

Besides subduing our vanity, regular video also prepares us for future performances. Being “on the spot” so often accustoms us to focusing on demand.

This skill will work in our favor if and when we choose to play for others.

The Goal of Videoing for Practice

The goal of video in guitar practice is to answer these two questions:

“What is working?”

“What can I work on in the next practice or two to improve on this?”

It’s important you acknowledge your success. Success feels good, and is far more motivating than criticism. Of course we want to take away constructive criticism. But noticing and celebrating success is equally important.

Keep it Quick and Dirty

The more time we spend fussing with your camera or phone (more on gear below), the less time we spend practicing.

When we record, we only need play the least required for feedback.

When videoing scales, we can play our scales for 30 seconds and stop. We can then watch it back, and notice what works and what doesn’t. Then we can get back to practicing, with a focus on whatever information we gleaned from the video.

The second example gives us something specific to practice. With this information, we can slow down and focus on keeping our fingers lower to the fretboard.

We make definite and noticeable improvements (and get some immediate gratification!).

Avoid the Plume of Complexity: Use Simple Equipment

It’s natural and easy to make things more complicated than they have to be.

And video is no different. We may distract ourselves with which camera to use, the lighting, the sound quality, or any number of irrelevant details.

For practice purposes, simple is better. Use your phone. Use your webcam. Use whatever option you already know how to use.

For practice purposes, simple is better. No fancy setup required.

The goal of the video is to get quick feedback we can use to practice effectively. Any more time spent than necessary distracts us from our guitar practice (which is, after all, the point).

3 Options for Guitar Practice Videos

There are three main camera angles we can use for practice videos. Each has its benefits and drawbacks.

We choose based on what sort of feedback we’d like.

Option One: Close-Up of the Left Hand

You can raise our music stand (holding a phone or camera) and fill the frame with your left hand.

Angle your body away from the camera so you can see your fingers and the guitar neck well.

Use this angle to check your left hand technique.

You may examine these left hand points:

Hand/wrist position and alignment

Finger curvature (“C” shape)

Fingers stay low to the fretboard (no fly-aways)

Finger placement just behind the frets

Fingers take shortest path (in chords as well)

Thumb position

Hand position during shifts (also, shift landings)

Appropriate tension

Fingerings consistent (notated or not)

Or any other detail you wish to examine.

Option Two: Close-Up of the Right Hand

Likewise, you can keep the music stand low and fill the frame with your right hand.

Here, you can make sure you’re doing what you think you’re doing. You’ll often surprise yourself with what you see. It’s easy to resort to an old bad habit when the complexity of the notes or left hand cloud the waters.

Some points to consider viewing the right hand:

Hand/wrist position and alignment

Fingers move as intended (technique)

Tone quality

Hand position over sound hole

Fingerings as written

Appropriate tension

Overall confidence/solidity

Fingerings consistent (notated or not)

Or anything else you like.

Option Three: The Full Shot

You can also back up from the camera and capture both hands and your body.

This is useful for checking overall posture. You can also use this shot for analyzing polished pieces or sections of pieces.

General forward momentum (action never bogs down or stalls; is compelling throughout)

Ornaments and special effects maintain character & style of voice (instead of upstaging)

Character of the piece remains consistent throughout

Or anything else you have on your radar

Tip: If you don’t understand any of these, ignore them for now. Focus on what you can use and disregard the rest. Over time, you’ll focus on different aspects.

Know What You’re Looking For

When you watch your practice videos, look for specific details. The more precise you are in the questions you ask, the more awareness you’ll have around those issues.

The goal is to find one or two details you

Are doing well

Could improve upon

The Successes are Important!

We often forget to acknowledge what’s going right. But we need to know we’re succeeding somewhere.

Instead of starting with, “What’s broken?” and “What’s next?”, begin each video review with a positive focus. “What is going well?” or “Where do I see improvement?”

Lead with endorphins, not cortisol! Warm fuzzies, not fight-or-flight.

Act on Your Findings Immediately

Once you find one or two details you can practice with, stop watching and get back to practicing.

You don’t need to go through the whole list. The goal is to gain direction in your immediate practice. When you’ve got that, turn off the camera and get back to work.

When you know what to practice, turn of the camera and practice.

If you watch your video at the end of a practice session, write down what you’ll work on in your next practice, based on the video.

If you don’t act on the feedback from the video, there’s not much point in taking the time to record yourself. (Unless it’s to celebrate successes. Then have it!)

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

We can use video daily in our practice to make consistent incremental steps. Over time, we gain more awareness of the fine details. And we train ourselves to notice more details in real time as we play.

With time, the process becomes more natural and comfortable. Video can be a powerful tool in our practice routines, but only when we use it!

About Allen Mathews

Allen Mathews learned guitar as an adult, and has been a full-time guitar teacher for almost two decades to students age 4 to 96. He has taught classical guitar at Reed College and Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and has been a guest lecturer and clinician at schools and universities throughout the U.S. Allen is often praised for his creative teaching abilities, and his dedication to helping adults learn classical guitar. He has a popular Youtube Channel offering regular classical guitar tutorials, and has gained fans worldwide for his weekly emails and articles at ClassicalGuitarShed.com.

Thanks to you (you are my only teacher) in only a few months I've gone from very basic beginner pieces to having just completed learning Bach's Gavottes 1&2 in good form and execution. As a non-classical electric guitarist who has always used a pick and never his fingers, this has been no small feat!

-Gregg Olson

I am truly enjoying the growth and challenge that the Woodshed material provides. I look forward to working hard and learning much in the years ahead. Thanks for all the effort and care that you have taken in providing these lessons and resources!

-Mark Whitsett

Become a Member and Play More, Beautifully!

“The basics are the basics, and you can’t beat the basics.”Charles Poliquin

Join the program that takes you from the beginning fundamentals to advanced mastery, so you…

Move your hands safely and fluidly

Enjoy fulfilling practices and meaningful work

Play beautifully with expression and flow

Click the button to take a step towards an organized, effective guitar practice. >>>